Helen Compton: Regressively retro
Regarding the June 16 news article “NC Senate requires two high school math tracks”: Please prevent the passage of House Bill 657. I taught mathematics for over 30 years. Since I retired, I have worked with teachers across the state to implement a high school Integrated Mathematics curriculum. I have seen this curriculum be successful for students where none has been before. Keeping algebra and geometry in separated courses does not help students see how to solve problems. It is like a dictionary with lists of ideas – not particularly useful.
Integrated math allows students to bring all resources to problem solving – preparing them for a life where math is a real tool in the workplace. House Bill 657 is walking North Carolina back to the 1950s.
Helen Compton
Durham
This story was originally published June 21, 2016 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Helen Compton: Regressively retro."